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Hong Kong has entered a new era of digital broadcasting with the official launch of digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting today (December 31).
The launching ceremony was officiated by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mrs Rita Lau, and representatives from Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB).
Mr Ma said, ˇ§Hong Kong is a pioneer in adopting the national DTT transmission standard developed by the Mainland. From tonight onwards, Hong Kong will enter a new digital broadcasting era which will bring to viewers a wider array of quality TV programmes and entertainment, as well as a brand new audio-visual experience.
ˇ§The use of digital technologies could release spectrum for the development of new multi-media services and lead Hong Kong to scale new heights in the technology arena.ˇ¨
The initial launch of DTT broadcasting will cover about 50% of the population in Hong Kong, namely the Kowloon peninsula, the northern part of Hong Kong Island, part of Sha Tin and the eastern part of Lantau Island.
ˇ§The Government is making every effort to help ATV and TVB speed up the construction of their digital networks with the aim of providing 75% coverage by August next year, so that more than five million Hong Kong citizens will be able to view in the comfort of their homes the 2008 Beijing Olympics through digital broadcasting,ˇ¨Mr Ma said.
With the launch of DTT broadcasting, ATV and TVB will simulcast their existing four television channels in digital format, and launch new free channels on standard television (SDTV) and high definition television (HDTV). The two stations will continue to broadcast the four existing channels in analogue format, so viewers can choose when to switch to digital broadcasting at their own pace.
For more information on DTT broadcasting, please visit www.digitaltv.gov.hk
Ends/Monday, December 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:31
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